How does the epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecasting system work?

The forecasting system requires a number of data inputs and processes, including pollen forecasts and weather observations and data. Pollen forecasts are dependent on many factors including wind, temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and grass coverage and condition. Weather associated with epidemic thunderstorm asthma includes wind changes and gusts typically observed with thunderstorms.

The system will provide predictions of the risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event for the current day, the next day, and the day after that during the grass pollen season.

The forecast will operate on a scale identifying risk from low to high, using a colour-coded scale of green (low), orange (moderate) and red (high).

The enhanced system will deliver daily epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecasts from 1 October 2017 through to 31 December 2017, the typical Victorian grass pollen season.

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